Wind fans wildfire in California canyons, residents flee [View all]
Source: AP
By CHRISTOPHER WEBER
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Powerful gusts pushed flames from a wildfire through Southern California canyons early Thursday, one of several blazes that burned near homes and forced residents to flee amid elevated fire risk for most of the region that prompted utilities to cut off power to hundreds of thousands.
The biggest blaze, in Orange County’s Silverado Canyon, began late Wednesday as a house fire that quickly spread to tinder-dry brush as gusts topped 70 mph (113 kph).
It exploded in size throughout the night and as the sun came up, an enormous plume of smoke was visible for miles.
Firefighters struggled in steep terrain amid unpredictable Santa Ana winds. Orange County Fire Authority Captain Thanh Nguyen said crews were scrambling to stay ahead of flames that jumped major roads.
Bruce McDougal prepares to defend his home as the Bond Fire burns though the Silverado community in Orange County, Calif., on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
Read more: https://apnews.com/article/wildfires-california-fires-a73ac9314c83900cf0b252ec1b26eb5c
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